Ono continued, “This is where we stand: We have been transported here by unknown means, by unknown actors, for unknown reasons; we were attacked without warning and slew the green dragon; we had many of our own voluntarily form dead zones within their own ships; we had many of our own operating under the axiomatic influence of the dream-octopuses; we found kidnapped royalty and nobility aboard the Death’s Silence; we are being recruited to fight a war for the dragons. It’s all a bit much unless there is more than one unsub acting in the shadows.

  “We are here to determine the course of action that will see us through to Homeworld. Speak if you have value to add, do not keep silent, do not only say no. We are here to learn. You will hear perspectives that are not usually sought in imperial councils. This is intentional. All details must be considered when every nut and bolt is limited in number. Our personnel is limited, our resources are limited, our position is limited. We are limited. We must make the most of ever advantage and every item and person and knowledge-base we have or we will not return to Homeworld.

  “There. The board is now set. I think we should start with the good doctor. Jefferies, if you would.” He gestured to the major and sat, puffing his cigar in slow measure.

  Major Jefferies stood and opened his mouth just as the door opened to a food trolly. The smells filling the room dulled the edge of the heavy atmosphere somewhat. Crew brought plates, platters, carafes, glasses, cups, mugs, flatware, and serviettes; setting them on the table before each occupant and removing the covers before withdrawing and closing the door behind them. It was done with a quiet efficiency that marked all the members of the Hidden Dagger did.

  Rieven reached forward and poured himself some juice from the carafe nearest him. “I ordered refreshments to be delivered hourly until the close of our meeting. Jackson, if you find you require other than the sort provided, please ping the galley-master a message and he’ll bring it right up.” Jackson nodded gently as he began filling his plate with food. “Major Jeffries, please, continue if you would.”

  Jefferies cleared his throat and began. “I believe we should begin at the beginning. We are in enemy territory and our entire navy is composed of Void Spectres who don’t measure up and can’t pay rent on the rank. I’m not happy with that, it has to change, so I pulled the most recent physicals of every member of this navy and compared the results to Void Spectre Standard. Four percent. Just Four percent pass basic muster. Twenty percent can’t even thread axiom through their laces with any reasonable level of control. Fifteen percent can’t meet unaxiomatic fitness standards. The rest of the Black Drakes fall somewhere within this spectrum. This must change.

  “I have taken the time to work up physical fitness plans for each Black Drake, as well as axiom threading exercises to increase control and finesse, and to deepen their reserves. The Ship’s Intelligence has been most useful in aiding me in this endeavour. Here is a standard set of physical and axiomatic exercises that will now be required by each Black Drake to get them qualified as a Void Spectre.” He tapped his datapad and every wallscreen in the room showed the list of exercise, as well as the expected time for completion, rest-breaks included. It was comprehensive.

  Commander Gahst spoke first after swallowing, “That is most comprehensive, doctor Jefferies. Are these daily or weekly? Nevermind, I see it. These are daily requirements. Well, I have no compunction with this. It is required for the Void Spectres to be physically fit and axiomatically capable. We’ll change each member of this navy to be that, or we’ll kill them trying. I see no middle ground. If you can’t change then you can’t help.”

  There were nods around the table. Jackson spoke next, “Dragons are reared in an environment that kills the unchanging. It is necessary in the development of the ideal predator. Spectres are predators in the classic sense. They are there and yet hard to perceive. They can torment their prey without reprisal and without remorse. To develop spectres in your navy, this course of action must be followed. I recommend any unwilling crew be given the day with me.” His smile was all teeth. “I’ll sort ‘em right out, as sergeant One-hand would say.”

  More nods swept around the room. “Accepted” said Rieven. He looked back to Jefferies. “Additional thoughts?”

  The man straightened, took a sip of water, and responded, “Yes, actually. I do have a few more thoughts here. First: Adjunct Jackson and I have tasked every SI in the navy with monitoring axiom laces within everyone aboard their ships and reporting any anomalies immediately to myself, Major Jergson, and himself. We will know, sir, if the dream-octopuses get their claws on our people again. We will know, sir, and respond immediately. There will not be a repeat of the night of dead zones. Not on my watch, sir.”

  Rieven relaxed slightly. That was good news. He’d been concerned about a repeat and was happy it had already been seen to.

  “Secondly, the swearing in. You’ve made them all Void Spectres, sir. They need to make their oaths to you. It’s both symbolic and necessary. I recommend the Hall of Judgement. We’ll get a manual scan on every man and woman who enters and leaves that chamber, which we need to do anyways. It’s important to verify that the SIs are seeing what we’re seeing in their laces.”

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  Command Gahst said, “That is actually something I was planning on bringing up, sir. This needs to be done and it will set the proper tone. I recommend we have each ship escorted in by a squad of Judiciars. It will tell them the seriousness of your decision. Plus you need to name a captain of their company. They can’t do their job for long and answer only to you. They need more. We have time, but it should probably happen soon.”

  Rieven nodded. He’d been thinking that as well. A quick glance around the room showed him the others agreed. “Anything else major Jefferies?”

  “Yes, sir, one final thought: Your dream-octopus. I’ve been monitoring its status via the SIs. It would appear that it’s in the midst of hatching, true?”

  There was an intake of breath from Jergson, and he suddenly eyed the black box with intense suspicion. “Yes, Jefferies, it’s true.” He gestured with his left hand, and the black box hovered just over the table and became transparent, allowing them to see the pearl and the single hair-line crack which ran through it. “He says that it should take him a few weeks to a few months to successfully hatch, depends on his strength. He says it started sooner as a result of my eyes and the fact that I’m human and apparently human REM cycles are highly compatible with dream-octopus dietary needs pre-hatching.”

  There was uneasy laughter around the table. “I would like to run regular tests on it, at least weekly. None of the draconic data describes what you are experiencing right now and it’s invaluable information.”

  “Sure thing, we’ll put in a regular appointment with you, though you’ll have to come to me sometimes, fair?”

  “More than, sir. That is all I have.” He then sat and pulled a platter towards himself and began plating the food. The man wasted no time in enjoying the food.

  “Are we just going to skip over the fact that you have a baby dream-octopus as a pet, sir? That seems like a conflict of interest.” Jergson said with calm measure.

  “No, major Jergson, we are not skipping over it; that’s why I made the box transparent, so that you could see. This little guy and I have an understanding. I’ll provide him with a purpose and with true friendship, something apparently sorely lacking over in dream-octopus land, and he’ll be loyal and true to his oath. He speaks only through axiomatic impressions, where it is difficult to hide a lie. I know his mind and his heart. He knows mine. We are agreed. It is more a bond of brotherhood than master and pet, he’s not fond of that designation.”

  “No, I don’t imagine he would be,” said Jergson, “I’m happy to hear that he can’t keep lies from you. That’s comforting. How does he feel about our conflict with his people?”

  “It’s a non-issue for him. As far as he’s concerned they abandoned him. He’s ours now, not theirs. Remarkably like Jackson in that regard.”

  Jackson nodded, “I certainly understand the desire to leave a people who bring ruin to your mind. However, my lord, you should be aware that I have instructed the SIs to inform me immediately should your axiom become irregular. A precaution until we can understand him better.”

  Rieven thought it through. That made sense to him logically. His pride hated it. Why should they get to monitor him? Who were they to do so? But he understood. It was what he would do in their position. “Very well. However, if you monitor me again without my permission I will have you before a captain’s mast in short order. Understood?”

  Jergson’s “Yes, sir!” echoed Jackson’s “Understood, my lord.”

  “Very well. Thank you major Jefferies. Please see these standards implemented immediately.” He turned to Ono. “Master sergeant Ono, please see that your marines take the lead in whipping our navy into shape.

  “Aye, sir. It’ll be done. They’ve been asking for permission to do something like that, not liking the look of incapability in the Void Spectres. Pride in their navy is strong, sir, and they’re pleased to help.”

  Rieven nodded, glad to hear that moral was up. By all rights it should be lower than dirt, but somehow they were rallying around him in their circumstances. The weight on his shoulders gained a few kilograms. He could feel the increase in pressure to succeed, to reward their trust and loyalty. He allowed it to settle onto him fully in his mind before he moved on.

  Ono turned to Jergson and asked, “Major Jergson, will you report next?”

  The major nodded and stood, stretching his arms wide to his sides in an effort to allow the food to settle somewhat in his frame. He settled down and stood at ease. “Sir, since the night of red smiles, there have been no instances of axiomatic contamination my mind-readers have found. We’ll post outside the Hall of Judgement for the formal scan of each Black Drake, but for now, it appears that we are clean.

  “I think we have a systems failure in addressing axiomatic contamination within a dead zone. It shouldn’t be possible for that to go unnoticed, but it did. For quite some time. It is now mandatory for every man and woman to have their minds scoured by the mind-readers every month. As things progress, I expect that timeline to change. At the moment, however, I’m paranoid sir.

  “I don’t like what I don’t understand. I don’t understand this, how it happens, so we’re making a study of it. Checks are done randomly and without order within the navy. The SIs give my people a list every morning when they report for duty and those are the minds that get scoured. It’s pretty good for an audit of personnel. I will leave our findings so far to the Adjunct, as they touch on some things he has to share.

  “We are received with suspicion. Though he didn’t know it at the time, Adjunct Jackson named us in a way that scares the disobedience out of everyone. Mind-readers, Inquisitors, these are things we in the empire have learned to fear, and now we have our own. It’s exciting sir, and it’s terrifying at the same time. No one has barred our entry to any place or to any one. Refreshing is the way I’d describe it. We have unity in something beyond identity now. Unity in fearing those who monitor us. As it should be.”

  He sat down, his report completed. Rieven looked around the room to see if any would add to his remarks. Jackson stood, then. “My lord, major Jergson touched on the results of our initial searches. They are not good. It appears that the Wythgoesh’s authority has been seeded within the Operatic Empire.”